Ex(or)cise: Working Out Can Help Release the Stress Demons That Haunt You

There’s no doubt that I’m a blessed man. I do what I love and am surrounded by people I love, and who feel the same about me.

But in many ways, this is the most stressful time in my life. I’m going through the final stages of a divorce, building up a class program at my studio that should give me more time with my kids and am, like the rest of you, dealing with the last stages of tax preparations.

A bright spot is working with local non-profit Tri-Valley Haven to hold a benefit at the studio (to read about that, .) But even that requires time and attention that is difficult to find since I want to make sure it is as successful as possible.

So, what will make all this easier on me? You guessed it – exercise!

If you’re looking for an authoritative source to support my claim, there’s a pretty good one on the Mayo Clinic website. To read that, click here.

But I’ll take this a step further and make a case for exercise not only helping you to deal with the effects of stress, but actually, if you’re open to it, dismantling the root of that stress.

Now, of course, every person is different, has different problems, possible outcomes of stressful situations and restrictions on controlling the potential outcomes. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about the fact that all upset is rooted in regret or resentment about something that happened in the past, or in fear or anxiety about what may happen in the future.

So how can exercise help with that? Exercise is a radically local, present-moment activity.

And as such, it can:

• Bring your focus away from events and people over which you have little control and direct it to an activity over which you have immediate, complete control
• Allow you to surrender your identification with the problem while you’re engaged in the task at hand
• Get some much-needed intellectual and emotional distance and regain a calmer, more insightful perspective

Two of my favorite books speak eloquently about this freeing and empowering choice:The Present Makes Happier Successful and The Power Now Spiritual Enlightenment.

Reading them can help you realize the benefits, but of course, actually being present is where the real rewards lay.

And one more suggestion. If you do get the books, go buy them from Judy Wheeler at .

(The picture attached to this column was taken in the middle of a relaxing but challenging jog/hike up Bernal toward one of the peaks in Kottinger Ranch.)

Want to talk in-person? I’m usually at the studio http://trivalleytrainer.com/ and can always be reached at Dan@TriValleyTrainer.com .